Attachment Plate Designed to Accept Multiple Boating Devices

ABSTRACT

An attachment bracket plate that is designed to accept a wide variety of different boating devices is shown. The attachment bracket plate is designed to attach to the back of the boat. In one instance, the attachment bracket plate is designed to attach to the transom of the boat and in another instance it is designed to attach to the motor (such as an outboard motor) on the boat. The attachment bracket plate can accommodate many boating devices such as any one or more of a ski tow bar, a boat canopy, a flag pole, fishing poles/lines, a fly bridge, a grill and/or cooler holder, gill net guides, trawl net guides, swimming platform, a ladder, downrigger holder, search light holder, underwater light holder, sonar, an underwater camera, a retractable boat cover, an outboard motor cover, a culling box or any other boating device that uses a rigid rod-like structure.

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/712,919 filed Oct. 12, 2012, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an attachment bracket plate that is universally designed so as to accept a plurality of different boating devices. In an embodiment, the attachment bracket plate is designed to attach to the back of the boat. In a variation, the attachment bracket plate is designed to attach to the motor of a boat. In one embodiment, the attachment bracket plate can accommodate any one or more of a ski tow bar, a boat canopy, a flag pole, fishing poles/lines, a fly bridge, a grill and/or cooler holder, gill net guides, trawl net guides, swimming platform, a ladder, downrigger holder, search light holder, underwater light holder, sonar, an underwater camera, a retractable boat cover, an outboard motor cover, a culling box or any other boating device that uses a rigid rod-like structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditional motor boats have been used for years for water skiing and for a variety of other boating activities. Generally, when a water skiing tow line is set up to pull one or more water skiers, the traditional design has been for the tow rope to be attached to a point that is inside the boat and significantly above the water level. Having the tow rope attached at this level when pulling one or more water skiers lead to a boat that more greatly affects the pitch axis (i.e., the aft part of the boat drops more below the water line and the fore part is raised more above the water line). This generally leads to a decrease in power and stability of the boat and also renders the boat more prone to roll). When the boat has a smaller motor, the boat may not have sufficient power to initially pull a skier out of the water, particularly when a bigger skier or when at least two skiers are being pulled.

There are also many boats that when they come off the shelves do not have canopies or the ability to hold fishing poles without having to have a passenger hold them.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an attachment bracket plate that is designed so as to accept a wide variety of different boating devices. In an embodiment, the attachment bracket plate is designed to attach to the back of the boat. In a variation, the attachment bracket plate is designed to attach to the transom of the boat and alternatively and/or additionally to the motor on the boat. In one embodiment, the attachment bracket plate can accommodate any one or more of a ski tow bar, a boat canopy, a flag pole, fishing poles/lines, a fly bridge, a grill and/or cooler holder, gill net guides, trawl net guides, swimming platform, a ladder, downrigger holder, search light holder, underwater light holder, sonar, an underwater camera, a retractable boat cover, an outboard motor cover, a culling box or any other boating device that uses a rigid rod-like structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of the attachment bracket plate.

FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of the attachment bracket plate.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the attachment bracket plate.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the rod-like structure containing a depression.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an attachment bracket plate that is designed so as to accept a wide variety of different boating devices. Accordingly, any one or more of a ski tow bar, a boat canopy, a flag pole, fishing poles/lines, a fly bridge, a grill and/or cooler holder, gill net guides, trawl net guides, swimming platform, a ladder, downrigger holder, search light holder, underwater light holder, sonar, an underwater camera, a retractable boat cover, an outboard motor cover, a culling box or any other boating device that uses a rigid rod-like structure can be attached.

In an embodiment, the attachment bracket plate is designed to attach to the back of the boat. In a variation, the attachment bracket plate is designed to attach to the transom of a boat. In an embodiment, the design of the attachment bracket plate is such that it can be bolted to a motor, and in a variation, to any known outboard motor. When a boat is being used for water skiing or pulling a device or person in the water (e.g., tubing, wakeboarding, or some other towing sport) and the attachment bracket plate is attached to the transom of a boat, the skiers' water ski line will attach to the attachment bracket plate and the boat will necessarily have more power. Power will be increased relative to the situation where the skier's line is inside and significantly above the boat because the pitch axis is greatly reduced (the boat's fore will remain closer to the water and the aft will not pitch as deep into the water). Other advantages that will be realized by positioning the attachment bracket plate on the transom of the boat (or directly on the motor) are greater pulling power, better fuel economy, greater stability of the boat, better maneuverability of the boat, and ease of use.

The attachment bracket plate can be made of any of a plurality of substances that has sufficient strength for the purposes that it is to be used. In one embodiment, the attachment bracket plate can be made of metal such as stainless steel. Alternatively, the attachment bracket plate can be made of a polymer such as hard plastics, hard rubbers, wood, ceramic or some other material that can withstand the pressure and/or torque that is associated with the task for which it is to be used. Plastics tend to be the cheapest material that can be used. In variations of the present invention, if a hard plastic is used, it may be one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of a phenol/formaldehyde polymer, a polyvinylchloride polymer, a polycarbonate polymer, a butadiene styrene copolymer, a polycarbonate butadiene styrene copolymer, a polyetherether ketone polymer, a polyarylether ketone polymer, a clay nanosheet-containing water soluble polymer and mixtures thereof.

Hard rubbers may be used to prevent slippage of the rod-like insertion. Various materials may be mixed in certain embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the device comprises one or more materials selected from rubber and metal. Thus, any part can be changed and/or reconfigured by substitution of other materials.

One other desired trait of the attachment bracket plate is that it be largely impervious to inclement weather. For example, it is desired that if a metal is used, that it is largely resistant to rusting. Accordingly, in an embodiment where stainless steel is used, it may be desired to place a polymer coating over the chromium oxide based ore that protects the stainless steel from the elements. Accordingly, when the metal (e.g., stainless steel) is used in conjunction with a polymer coating, the rusting will be minimized. In an alternative embodiment, the outer part of the stainless steel may have an anodized coating added to it to also reduce rusting. Other coatings that may reduce rusting include treatment with waterproof paint or some other waterproof covering.

The attachment bracket plate is described herein with reference to the figures. In FIG. 1, a front perspective view of the attachment bracket plate 10 is shown. Socket 1 is attached to support channel 3. In one embodiment, the socket 1 is welded to support channel 3. Other means of attaching socket 1 to support channel 3 are contemplated such as screws, nuts and bolts, glue, solder, welding or any combination thereof. In one variation as shown in FIG. 3, there may be one or more additional triangular support pieces 6 that can be used to hold socket 1 in place relative to support channel 3. These triangular support pieces 6 may be welded to one or more of socket 1 and support channel 3. Also, note that cross support piece 7 may be used and welded to triangular pieces 6 and to support channel 4 to hold triangular support pieces 6 in place and to hold socket 1 in place relative to support channel 3. Alternatively, the device may be casted by pouring liquid metal into a mold so that it is one piece, meaning that no welding is needed. In a further variation, it is contemplated that a block of stainless steel (or aluminum or some other metal) can be used and metal removed from the block (for example, by shaving metals off the block, drilling holes, etc.) to generate the attachment bracket plate 10.

Holes 2 a and 2 b, which are present on support channel 3 are designed to accommodate bolts that can pass through the holes 2 a and 2 b allowing the attachment bracket plate 10 to be secured to the transom and/or the motor. It should be understood that washers may accompany the bolts allowing the attachment bracket plate 10 to be securely fastened to the transom or the motor of the boat through holes 2 a and 2 b. Although FIG. 1 shows two holes 2 a and 2 b disposed generally in a vertical direction (i.e., hole 2 a is positioned above the hole 2 b), it should be understood that any number of holes can be present that allow the attachment bracket plate 10 to be attached to the transom and or motor. One should also note that the position of holes may be moved anywhere on support channel 3 so as to allow attachment to the transom and/or motor. In a variation it should be noted that the orientation of attachment bracket plate 10 is shown that hole 2 a is substantially vertical to and above hole 2 b, any of a plurality of orientations of the attachment bracket plate 10 can be used depending on the rod-like structure 4 that is to be inserted into opening 20 (see FIG. 2).

The orientation of the attachment bracket plate 10 that is shown in FIG. 1 is designed to accommodate a Suzuki motor. However, it should be understood that any of a plurality of designs and holes 2 a and 2 b may be used to accommodate any motor that is on the market (for example, motors made by Coleman, Mercury, Evinrude, Johnson, Honda, Yamaha, Mariner, Force, Nissan Marine, Tohatsu, OMC, Minn Kota, Ford, Attwood, Humminbird, Motorguide, SeaSense, Shakespeare, and/or Watersnake). In one embodiment, there may be more holes present that are not necessarily used so as to accommodate a wide variety of motors.

As shown in FIG. 2, socket 1 is a rectangular device with a square opening at the top and bottom (better seen as opening 20 in FIG. 3) that can accommodate a rod-like structure 4. As shown in FIG. 2, hexagonal bolts 5 go through holes (holes not shown) in socket 1 to hold rod-like structure 4 in place.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the end containing the threaded part of the bolt 31 (i.e., the opposite end from the hexagonal part of the hexagonal bolts 5) is screwed into nut 21, which in turn is welded to socket 1, the end containing the threaded part of the bolt 31 enters into the square space represented by opening 20 allowing the end containing the threaded part of the bolt 31 to contact rod-like structure 4 pushing rod-like structure against the edge of the square space represented by opening 20. This holds rod-like structure 4 in place so that it does not move. It should also be understood that it is contemplated and therefore within the scope of the invention that the square space represented by opening 20 may not in fact be square but may be circular in shape. This would allow the insertion of rod-like structure 4 into the cylindrical space that is inside of socket 1 and would provide for a better “fit” of the rod-like structure 4. It should be noted that FIG. 3 shows opening 20 without the rod-like structure 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bolts that pass through holes 2 a and 2 b enter in the direction shown by arrow 23 allowing surface 25 to rest flush against the transom and/or the motor. It should be noted that hexagonal bolt 5 may be moved to a position that is represented by arrow 24 if the attachment bracket plate 10 is attached to the transom of the boat. Alternatively, hexagonal bolt 5 may rest in the position as it is shown in FIG. 3 if attachment bracket plate 10 is attached to a motor. In the case where the attachment bracket plate 10 is attached to an outdoor motor, hexagonal bolt 5 will not interfere with attachment bracket plate 10 resting flush with the motor and moreover, there should be sufficient space to access hexagonal bolt 5.

In an embodiment, rod-like structure 4 may have one or more depressions 30 (see FIG. 4) that allow the end containing the threaded part of hexagonal bolt 31 to securely hold the rod-like structure 4 in place. These one or more depressions 30 prevent the rod-like structure from moving in the vertical direction 32 when the end containing the threaded part of hexagonal bolt 31 is tightened so that it is completely in the one or more depressions 30. Although, rod-like structure 4 is shown with a depression 30, it should be understood that this depression might just as easily be a threaded hole that is designed to accommodate the insertion of the end containing the threaded part of hexagonal bolt 31. In any event, have a depression 30 or a threaded hole is particularly important when one does not want the rod-like structure to move (for example, when pulling a water skier).

In an embodiment, rod-like structure 4 might also have one or more protrusions 33 on the circumference of the rod that prevents further entrance of rod-like structure 4 into the opening 20 in socket 1 (the circumference of the rod plus the protrusion is larger than length (if square) or circumference (if round) of opening 20). It should be understood that the protrusion may span the circumference of the rod, or alternatively, it may be present at one or a plurality of spots along the circumference of the rod. In one embodiment, the rod-like structure 4 might have a conical part to it that also prevents further entrance of the rod into opening 20 (i.e., eventually the circumference of the conical portion of the rod becomes bigger than length (if square) or circumference (if round) of opening 20).

In an embodiment, more than one attachment bracket plate 10 is used. In a variation, there is an attachment bracket plate 10 on each side of a boat motor. In a variation, each of the attachment bracket plates 10 on each side of a motor have a ski tow bar, a boat canopy, a flag pole, fishing poles/lines, a fly bridge, a grill and/or cooler holder, gill net guides, trawl net guides, swimming platform, a ladder, downrigger holder, search light holder, underwater light holder, sonar, an underwater camera, a retractable boat cover, an outboard motor cover, a culling box or other boating device attached.

Thus, in an embodiment, the present invention relates to an attachment bracket plate comprising a socket and a support channel wherein said support channel is a substantially planar plate and said socket being a substantially rectangular cube having six sides, each side having any two of a length, height and width, wherein one side of said socket abuts and is affixed to the planar plate in said support channel, said socket having an opening on each of the two sides having a width and a height, the opening extending the length of the socket so as to be able to accommodate a rod-like structure that will fit into the opening of the socket and traverse at least a part of the length of the socket. In a variation, the rod-like structure that fits into the opening of the socket traverses the entire length of the socket.

In an embodiment, the attachment bracket plate further comprises one or more holes that traverse the substantially planar plate of the support channel in a direction that is perpendicular to the substantially planar plate of the support channel. In a variation, there are two holes that traverse the substantially planar plate of the support channel. In a variation, the two holes can accommodate bolts and/or washers that allow the attachment bracket plate to be securely attached to a transom and/or a motor or an outboard motor of a boat.

In an embodiment, the attachment bracket plate can accommodate any one or more of a ski tow bar, a boat canopy, a flag pole, fishing poles/lines, a fly bridge, a grill and/or cooler holder, gill net guides, trawl net guides, swimming platform, a ladder, downrigger holder, search light holder, underwater light holder, sonar, an underwater camera, a retractable boat cover, an outboard motor cover, and/or a culling box.

In an embodiment, the attachment bracket plate further comprises one or more socket holes in the socket on the side that is opposite the side that abuts and is affixed to the planar plate, wherein said one or more socket holes in the socket are perpendicular to the length of said socket. In an embodiment, these one or more socket holes are designed to accommodate bolts that may have a hexagonal head. In one embodiment, the socket holes are threaded to accommodate the bolts. The bolts traverse the socket hole into the socket allowing one to maintain the rod-like structure in place. In a variation, there are two holes.

In one embodiment, the attachment bracket plate is made of metal.

In an embodiment, the attachment bracket plate further comprises one or more nuts, the one or more nuts being welded to the side of the socket that is on the side that abuts and is affixed to the planar plate, the one or more nuts being positioned so that one or more bolts can be screwed into the one or more nuts, pass through the one or more holes in the socket and have the thread end of the one or more bolts abut the rod-like structure, keeping the rod-like structure secured in place.

In an embodiment, the attachment bracket plate is operationally connected to a rod-like structure that is any one or more of a ski tow bar, a boat canopy, a flag pole, or fishing poles/lines, a fly bridge, a grill and/or cooler holder, gill net guides, trawl net guides, swimming platform, a ladder, downrigger holder, search light holder, underwater light holder, sonar, an underwater camera, a retractable boat cover, an outboard motor cover, and/or a culling box.

In one embodiment, the opening that extends the length of the socket is cylindrical in shape. In variations, it may be other shapes such as a triangular rectangle (i.e., the opening is triangular but the length and sides of the triangle form a rectangular shape) or elliptical or any other shape that can appropriately accommodate the rod-like structure.

In one embodiment, the rod like structure may have one or more depressions that are designed to accommodate the socket bolts that pass through the socket holes meaning that the rod-like structure stays in place.

In an embodiment, the bolts that secure the attachment bracket plate to a motor enter from one side of the attachment bracket plate and the one or more socket bolts that screw into the one or more socket nuts are on the opposite side of the attachment bracket plate. In a variation, the one or more socket nuts are on an edge that is perpendicular to the plane of the support channel.

In an embodiment, the attachment bracket plate further comprises one or more triangular support pieces and one or more cross support pieces. In a variation, there are two triangular support pieces and one cross support piece. In a variation, the two triangular support pieces and the one cross support piece are perpendicular to the support channel. In a variation, the two triangular support pieces and one cross support are welded to the support channel and the two triangular support pieces are also welded to the socket. In a variation, the two triangular support pieces are perpendicular to the one cross support piece.

In an embodiment, if the attachment bracket plate is metal, the metal is stainless steel. In a variation, the attachment bracket plate the stainless steel is covered with a water resistant polymer. In an embodiment, the attachment bracket plate is one of metal, plastic, hard rubber, wood, or mixtures thereof.

It is to be understood that the above is merely a description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and that various modifications could be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the concept of the invention disclosed therein. Moreover, it should be understood that it is contemplated that any feature that is described above can be combined with any other feature. When ranges are discussed, any number that may not be explicitly disclosed but fits within the range is contemplated as an endpoint for the range. The scope of protection to be afforded is to be determined by the claims, which follow and the breadth of interpretation which the law allows. 

I claim:
 1. An attachment bracket plate comprising a socket and a support channel wherein said support channel is a substantially planar plate and said socket being a substantially rectangular cube having six sides, each side having any two of a length, height and width, wherein one side of said socket abuts and is affixed to the planar plate in said support channel, said socket having an opening on each of the two sides having a width and a height, the opening extending the length of the socket so as to be able to accommodate a rod-like structure that will fit into the opening and traverse at least a part of the length of the socket.
 2. The attachment bracket plate of claim 1, further comprising one or more holes that traverse the substantially planar plate of the support channel in a direction that is perpendicular to the substantially planar plate of the support channel.
 3. The attachment bracket plate of claim 2, wherein two holes traverse the substantially planar plate of the support channel in a direction that is perpendicular to the substantially planar plate of the support channel, wherein the two holes can accommodate bolts and/or washers that allow the attachment bracket plate to be securely attached to a transom and/or an outboard motor of a boat.
 4. The attachment bracket plate of claim 3, wherein said rod-like structure comprises any one or more of a ski tow bar, a boat canopy, a flag pole, or fishing poles/lines.
 5. The attachment bracket plate of claim 3, further comprising one or more holes in the socket on the side that is opposite the side that abuts and is affixed to the planar plate, wherein said one or more holes in the socket are perpendicular to the length of said socket.
 6. The attachment bracket plate of claim 5, wherein said one or more holes in the socket are able to accommodate bolts that will hold in place the rod-like structure that is present in the socket.
 7. The attachment bracket plate of claim 6, wherein the attachment bracket plate is made of metal.
 8. The attachment bracket plate of claim 7, further comprising one or more nuts, said one or more nuts welded to the side of the socket that is on the side that abuts and is affixed to the planar plate, said one or more nuts positioned so that one or more bolts can be screwed into the one or more nuts, pass through the one or more holes in the socket and have the thread end of the one or more bolts abut the rod-like structure, keeping the rod-like structure secured in place.
 9. The attachment bracket plate of claim 8, wherein the rod-like structure comprises any one or more of a ski tow bar, a boat canopy, a flag pole, fishing poles/lines a fly bridge, a grill and/or cooler holder, gill net guides, trawl net guides, swimming platform, a ladder, downrigger holder, search light holder, underwater light holder, sonar, an underwater camera, a retractable boat cover, an outboard motor cover, and/or a culling box.
 10. The attachment bracket plate of claim 9, wherein the opening extending the length of the socket is cylindrical in shape.
 11. The attachment bracket plate of claim 8, wherein the rod like structure further comprises one or more depressions.
 12. The attachment bracket plate of claim 11, wherein bolts that secure the attachment bracket plate to a motor enter from one side of the attachment bracket plate and the one or more bolts that screw into the one or more nuts are on the opposite side of the attachment bracket plate.
 13. The attachment bracket plate of claim 1, further comprising one or more triangular support pieces and one or more cross support pieces.
 14. The attachment bracket plate of claim 13, wherein there are two triangular support pieces and one cross support piece.
 15. The attachment bracket plate of claim 14, wherein the two triangular support pieces and the one cross support piece are perpendicular to the support channel.
 16. The attachment bracket plate of claim 15, wherein the two triangular support pieces and one cross support are welded to the support channel and the two triangular support pieces are also welded to the socket.
 17. The attachment bracket plate of claim 15, wherein the two triangular support pieces are perpendicular to the one cross support piece.
 18. The attachment bracket plate of claim 15, wherein the metal is stainless steel.
 19. The attachment bracket plate of claim 18, wherein the stainless steel is covered with a water resistant polymer.
 20. The attachment bracket plate of claim 1, wherein the attachment bracket plate is one of metal, plastic, hard rubber, wood, or mixtures thereof. 